Neighbor Prayer Update

“…how true it is that God does not show favoritism,
but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”
(Acts 10:34-35)

When the Apostle Peter spoke these words, in was in the context of divine appointment with Cornelius and his entire household (Acts 10), and realizing that had been at work in this sincere Gentile’s life, drawing him to Christ. God was not concerned about Cornelius’ religion, but was moved by his desire for right relationship. Peter simply had to obey God’s leading and reveal Truth (Christ) to Cornelius who readily accepted. Today, there are many “Corneliuses” around us (sincere Neighbors) who have just come through a period of fasting and prayer. Many are ripe and ready for the Gospel. Pray that God reveals these people to YOU and to those who are serving amongst neighbors.

This week, we also want to feature a video taped message from Carl Madeiras that challenges each of us to focus on relationship with Christ NOT religion. Watch and obey!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8840641224633551184

1. Requests from various colleagues serving in Singapore:

• Pray for N….and M….., a couple from Pakistan. We will have an opportunity to be with them several more times before they move to another city in the Middle East in December. We continue to look for opportunities to lift up Jesus. May they recognize Him as Messiah.
• Massoud has finally viewed the video testimonial! And Praise God, he was moved by the testimony and has contacted us because he wants to know more about Jesus! In fact, he has requested to attend church with us next Sunday and then visit with him in his home afterwards for more discussion! Please keep praying that nothing will stand in the way of this divine appointment next weekend. May the service and message next Sunday in church speak clearly to Massoud, and may our conversation afterwards draw Him closer to accepting and following Isa al Masih!
• Pray with us for our friends, E…. & A….. They are a young Malay couple. E’s father died recently, causing E to be more open to dialogue about spiritual things and Christ. His wife, A, is due to have a new baby soon. May these transitions and stresses of death and birth continue to create within them a desire to be in right relationship with God, and may they come to the realization that only Christ can do that for them.
• Lift up our Malay friend S___. She is currently serving a prison sentence for drug offenses, scheduled for release in November, but facing some real challenges. S will move back home with her parents, but their relationship is very strained. S also will return to her role as mother to her three young children ages 9, 8 and 7. S is divorced so much cope with raising these precious kids on her own. Pray that S will respond to an ongoing mentoring relationship with our colleague and through this relationship may S realize that Christ is the only answer for her past and future challenges.
• Now that Ramadan is over, A___ will try to resume language study with her neighbor friend K___. Pray that A will be quick to learn the language, that her relationship with K will be strengthened, and that K will be drawn to Christ in A’s life.

2. Pray today for team members serving in Indonesia:

• For quick acquisition of new language, culture and formation of deep relationships with the Indonesians….to understand the nuances of the new culture….find bridges to the Gospel…and meet men and women of peace.
• That their ongoing passport application and visa issues will be ironed out.

3. From coworkers in the Sealands: This week God has opened a door to neighbor community where there are no others making an effort to share Good News. The head of the village is very open. Pray for the family and community of Mr. T in the area of S-bi. Pray for wisdom and ability to continue the effort. (Could this be another Cornelius? Let’s pray so.)

4. From team members serving in a “gateway” city: I have learned the mother-tongue of a neighbor people group to almost a survival level. I will now be out of context for 3.5 months. Please pray that daily language study review will allow me to at least sustain my current level. Also lift up my many pre-belief friends whom I will not see for this period of time. My periodic phone calls and emails will not be enough. Rejoice with me that the Lord’s Spirit will continue to speak to their hearts as He was before I even met them.